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Meta-Analysis
. 2013 Dec;52(12):2136-48.
doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/ket169. Epub 2013 Sep 3.

The prevalence of depression in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Faith Matcham  1 , Lauren Rayner, Sophia Steer, Matthew Hotopf
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The prevalence of depression in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Faith Matcham et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2013 Dec.

Abstract

Objective: There is substantial uncertainty regarding the prevalence of depression in RA. We conducted a systematic review aiming to describe the prevalence of depression in RA.

Methods: Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Medline and PubMed were searched for cross-sectional studies reporting a prevalence estimate for depression in adult RA patients. Studies were reviewed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and a meta-analysis was performed.

Results: A total of 72 studies, including 13,189 patients, were eligible for inclusion in the review. Forty-three methods of defining depression were reported. Meta-analyses revealed the prevalence of major depressive disorder to be 16.8% (95% CI 10%, 24%). According to the PHQ-9, the prevalence of depression was 38.8% (95% CI 34%, 43%), and prevalence levels according to the HADS with thresholds of 8 and 11 were 34.2% (95% CI 25%, 44%) and 14.8% (95% CI 12%, 18%), respectively. The main influence on depression prevalence was the mean age of the sample.

Conclusion: Depression is highly prevalent in RA and associated with poorer RA outcomes. This suggests that optimal care of RA patients may include the detection and management of depression.

Keywords: depression; meta-analysis; prevalence; rheumatoid arthritis; systematic review.

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Figures

F<sc>ig</sc>. 1
Fig. 1
Search results and study selection.
F<sc>ig</sc>. 2
Fig. 2
Prevalence of MDD in RA. Pooled prevalence of MDD according to DSM criteria in RA patients by random effects meta-analysis.
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